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"This isn't about demonising a particular animal, as dogs can pass infections to humans, too.

“But at the same time it’s wise to educate the public about the potential risks, so that they know what to do in the rare cases when something goes wrong."

These are some of the diseases your cat could be carrying.

Toxoplasmosis

The most common way to catch this is by swallowing something contaminated with the faeces of an infected cat. It can also be caught by contact with raw meat or products contaminated by an infected animal or bird.

Iain said: "People who get toxoplasmosis don't typically have many symptoms. It can cause mild flu-like issues, or a prolonged glandular fever-type feelings.

A leading vet has issued a warning to cat owners

Toxoplasmosis isn't serious for a healthy child or adult, but it is for an infected pregnant woman.

Iain said: “There is a risk she can pass it on to her baby, and it can cause problems with vision and trigger development disabilities.

"This doesn't mean you should get rid of your cat during pregnancy, but introducing hygiene and food precautions will greatly reduce risks of infection.

According to the NHS, there are around 350 confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis each year – but the actual figure could be as high as 350,000. It's treated easily with medication.

Cat Scratch Fever

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease that can be caught from a scratch or bite of a cat, causing swollen glands, fever and fatigue.

Iain said: "Most cat scratches will not lead to cat scratch fever, so don't panic if a cat breaks your skin with its claw.

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"Cat scratch fever lasts for a few weeks and will normally produce a lump at the site of injury.”

Fleas can play their part in the spread of the disease among the cat population so stay on top of de-fleaing your feline.

Antibiotics can treat the sick person – and Iain suggests monitoring children playing with cats and kittens.

He said: “Any scratch from a cat is going to be unpleasant for a child, so it's wise to monitor them when they're handling felines. And you should always wash your hands after handling the cat, its food, toys or litter tray."

Washing all bites and scratches as soon as they happen helps keep the area clean and is highly recommended too. The NHS suggests it could affect around 2,900 people in the UK every year.

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Toxocariasis

Toxocariasis is an infection caused by roundworm parasites, and as with Toxoplasmosis, humans catch it from handling soil or sand contaminated with animal faeces.

Cats aren't the only culprit here – you can also get it from dogs and foxes. Nasty symptoms include high temperature, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, organ damage and seizures.

There's a risk of permanent vision loss if the eyes are infected.

Salmonella can be passed from cats to humans (Image: Getty)

Iain said: "Children are especially at risk, but it's easy for adults to become exposed too, particularly as cats bury their excrement, and humans may come into contact with it without realising.

"You should seek help from your GP immediately if you think you or your child may have been infected with toxocariasis.

"Cover kids' sandboxes so they're not used as litter trays, and generally restrict animal access to kids' plays areas.

"Also, wear gloves when gardening, and wash them and your hands when finished.

There are just a handful of confirmed cases in the UK each year – around four or five – and treatment is a medication called an 'anthelmintic' which kills the parasite larvae, as well as steroids to reduce the inflammation.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidia are little parasites that not only affect cats and dogs, but other animals and humans.

They penetrate the cat's gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms like diarrhoea.

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The bug is spread through infected faeces which can then contaminate water sources or the environment in general.

Iain said: "Cryptosporidiosis usually strikes kittens younger than six months, but cats with a healthy immune system usually recover. For those with compromised immune systems, however, it could potentially be fatal.

"And it's no fun for any humans who get it, either. Symptoms in cats include watery diarrhoea and going off their food.”